Enrollment in health care plans under the Affordable Care Act has doubled in Duval County. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are now covered for the first time.
During the latest enrollment period that ended last month, Florida surpassed all other states in the number of people covered under the Affordable Care Act with 1.6 million. More than half of those signed up for health insurance for the first time.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region Four Director Pamela Roshell says an increase in plan options was a factor.
"We were very pleased with the progress that we're making in Florida. Affordability and choice helped to drive the enrollment this year," Roshell said.
Duval County saw 80,000 people get covered this year — twice the number from last year.
The Miami-Ft Lauderdale metro area led the state with more than 750,000 enrollees.
Nationwide, 11.7 million people signed up for coverage under the law during the second enrollment period.
